[letsparta69]

LOL I hear yah Sync. So what kind of pay would i be looking at?

[ajritter04]

Originally Posted by letsparta69

LOL I hear yah Sync. So what kind of pay would i be looking at?

IIRC...

Training Weeks 1 & 2 - $350
Training Weeks 3 & 4 - $400
Training Weeks 5 & 6 - $500

26 cpm (Cents Per Mile) when you're solo.

Of course, there's detention pay, layover pay, multiple stop pay, etc that can be added in, but 26cpm is the base you're looking at. Swift also pays HHG (Household Guide) miles, which means from zip code to zip code as opposed to "practical" mileage.

Basically, if you drove 500 miles, but HHG guide says it's only 475, you'll only be paid for 475 miles. A difference of something like $7, but over the course of a month, and eventually a year, it adds up to a pretty good chunk of change.

For what they are, a "starter" company, Swift isn't all bad. You could do worse. England and their "fleece purchase" program comes to mind.

[Syncrosonix]

maybe only a few times have i ever received breakdown, detention, extra stop, and unloading pay. the most recent detention pay i received was a week and a half ago when i was at the norfolk southern rail yard in shitcago, il waiting on an empty trailer to come in on track 3. i waited allllllllll through saturday night and finally got hooked up to it 12hrs later. i hardly got any sleep because the rail yard is in the hood. for 5hrs straight, i heard non-stop sirens from mostly police cars and ambulances.

you'll have to constantly run your ass off to break $700 a week in take home pay. i no longer really see the point in doing so because of those hhg miles. in the midwest, zip codes are pretty huge, so you'll be cheated out of quite a bit of miles. like mentioned before, all those shafted miles will come back at you in the long run. it'll leave you feeling cheated, used, and abused.

[letsparta69]

So your telling me it would be hard to make $700 a week? That doesnt sound good. Those sites make it seem like i'd be makin close to 41g a year starting out. How about a friend and me going in there as a team? Better pay or is everything just split?

[Syncrosonix]

the first few months, $700 weekly is hard to come by as a solo driver. team driving, the pay starts out at ~$.36 a mile, or something like that, but it's split. so you're only getting ~$.15 1/2 per mile. you'll basically have to drive twice as many miles compared to a solo driver just to make ends meet. team driving should only be done with a person you can trust with your life. even then, being confined to a truck will become a bit iffy. it'll probably drive the both of you crazy. i prefer sleeping in a stationary vehicle, too.

if you want your cdl and don't have the money to put forth with an outside school. go for a training company with their own school. do your contracted time, get that school loan paid off, and then check out other gigs.

[dle]

Did I miss something, can you afford to pay for your own training? There are a number of companies that will re-imburse you for your training that you get from a 3rd party (community college eg).

As a brand new solo, you would be very hard pressed to make $700 net a week. Just keep in mind that the majority of truck drivers get paid by the mile - if the wheels don't turn ----- you don't get paid.

What company should you pick ---- pick one that has a terminal close to your home that you like the smell of.

[letsparta69]

I would rather have a company pay for my schooling if possible but i dont know it would be hard doing just for 700 weekly. I currently make 500 a week which would be a plus to make 700 but also have to figure in putting the youngins in daycare while the wifey is at work which i dont have do now. I think i would enjoy the job its just have to make more to be worth it u know?

[dle]

Things to keep in mind:

You will be GONE from HOME for 3 or more weeks at a time.
You will have to fix problems over the phone, you can't say ok i'll be home in a few minutes.
You will not have a "normal" work day.
You will not get paid if the truck does not move with freight.
You will drive in all kinds of weather and road conditions day and night.
You will be 3/4th tired 98% of the time.
You will miss important family events.

Is this worth it for you?

Has anyone explained to you what the training / hiring process is like for a truck driver?

[letsparta69]

Yeah i've heard different things here and there. I havent called anybody to get info just going by whats on websites and what people have to say here. I just want a change in my life and thought the money might be decent and enjoy traveling the country and getting away from home some.(Well alot ) I mean does the money get nice or does it stay below a g a week?

[Colts Fan]

I'm in my first year and I average over 1K/wk gross. But I got very lucky and found a local gig that has me home often. But make no mistake, I work LONG hours to make that money. Where are you from? If you live in the sticks a good local job is hard to come by. But after you gain some experience (1 or 2 years) more opportunities will open and you can make some good cheese local or OTR.

My father-in-law grosses $1600-1800/wk OTR as a company driver for a window manufacturer. There are many opportunities out there.